Iran has rejected a European proposal to stop enriching uranium in return for nuclear technology, calling the proposal "unbalanced."
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Sunday that suspending enrichment activities is unacceptable. But a spokesman said Tehran still wants to negotiate with the Europeans, and said a deal can be reached.
Last week, envoys from Britain, Germany and France offered Tehran trade incentives and technology for a nuclear power reactor, in exchange for a promise to stop uranium enrichment.
The envoys warned Iran against dismissing the plan, saying a rejection would prompt most European countries to side with the United States in the dispute.
Washington suspects Iran is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons. U.S. officials want the International Atomic Energy Agency to refer Iran to the United Nations Security Council next month for possible sanctions.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.